37 weeks down, 2 to go...

We have almost made it through this miracle of a process.  I know I will look back and wish I embraced my last pregnancy a little more than I have but it isn't exactly the easiest 40 weeks of a mom's life.  While I may complain about the aches, pains, nausea and body changes, pregnancy is one of the most incredible experiences I will ever encounter.  I know I am blessed to be able to carry my own children, and for that I am extremely grateful!

However here are some things I am looking forward to in the coming weeks...
1.  I will be able to eat chocolate and baked goods without feeling like I want to vomit (darn heartburn).
2.  My lower back will no longer be in excruciating pain when I am on my feet all day.
3.  I can finally get rid of the only two shirts remaining that fit over my large belly.
4.  I can hold Owen and Grayson again without feeling like the baby will fall out.
5.  I can lay flat on my back.
6.  I can have a glass of wine or an alcoholic beverage of my choice.
7.  I can breathe through my nose at night again.
8.  I can throw out my pregnancy pillow (which is the only way I have been able to sleep for the last 25 weeks).
9.  I can stop getting the "oh my you are due any day" looks while out and about.
10.  And last but not least I can snuggle this chubby little baby Leo.

If you noticed above, I should actually have about 3 weeks left until delivery.  However if you know my past history you know that I delivered a 9.4 lb baby prior to this pregnancy.  Grayson never measured big so the doctors were not concerned about his weight but this baby, he has been measuring about 2 weeks ahead since my 20 week anatomy scan.  My doctor did another ultrasound last week and at 36 weeks baby Leo was measuring 7.14 lbs.  According to the ultrasound he looks chubby and perfectly healthy.  Because I was dilated to 1.5 and 50% effaced at 36 weeks the doctors decided that they will continue to check me and if I continue to dilate and efface I will be a good candidate for induction at 39 weeks.  I have never been induced before so I have my concerns, but I am even more concerned about delivering a baby close or over 10 lbs.  Of course I have heard the horror stories but I also have a lot of close friends who were induced and had great experiences so I am going to trust my doctor's opinion on this one.

We took Owen and Grayson to the ultrasound so they got to see Leo's cute little chubby cheeks.  They were so excited to discuss how cute their baby brother is and how they can't wait to hold him.  Having older children during this pregnancy has made the process so much more fun!  Here is a video of the boys seeing their brother on the big screen...

Owen and Grayson have been very helpful this time around.  I can hardly bend over at this point to pick up toys strewn throughout the house so they have been working hard to assist me throughout the day.  And when I can't bend over to take my shoes off they are always there to lend a hand or two...

They have also been helping us get ready for the baby by setting up his bed...

 And then of course jumping in it to make sure it is sturdy enough to hold their brother...

 And of course they had to check out the softness...

Owen has been working diligently on a baby book for his brother...

While the boys are busy preparing my belly continues to expand and baby Leo is getting himself ready for his arrival into our crazy little world...

 This picture was taken right before Brian and Lauren's wedding (please excuse my messy hotel room) I look small here, but at the time I thought I was ginormous...

See what I mean, nothing fits over my belly anymore...

 The boys are always running to give me a hug and kiss and they never forget to do the same for their baby brother.  It is pretty sweet to see them turn into my protectors during this pregnancy.  They want to make sure that I am feeling okay and comfort me when I need to rest.  I am very proud of the boys they have become...

 36 weeks...

Pregnancies must seem like eternity to little ones.  Many questions have been coming up lately from Owen, examples include "how will the baby come out of your belly?", "do you spit him out of your mouth?", excuse my language but "does he come out of your bum?", "what will he be wearing when he comes out?", and  "are we really going to get a baby?" ".

Grayson on the other hand isn't very concerned with how Leo will get here but what he will do with him once he arrives "I will snuggle him and rock him" and my personal favorite, "daddy will clean the house while mommy feeds the baby".

I am so thankful to that I get to experience this miracle one more time and over the next couple of weeks we will be praying that all goes smoothly and we will be holding a healthy little boy at the end of this.  Leo James Drapp is our rainbow baby and I know he will be the perfect way to complete our family of five.